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| 6'5", feet apart and using his stick, Zadorov is tough to beat defensively |
His return to the London Knights helped them to two impressive victories this weekend. The Knights played their most complete game of the year in a 4-0 win over a hot Windsor Spitfire team.
The 18 year-old defenseman from Moscow seems ready to heed instructions from the Buffalo Sabres to return to junior and 'dominate..'
DEFENSIVE ZONE - In his seven games in the NHL Zadorov has learned to play the game faster. The puck is on his stick and gone, or it's carried out of trouble. In front of the net, his size and increased strength give him the ability to handle any OHL forward. His long frame and wingspan cuts off passing lanes and smother opposition forwards against the boards. More than anything he takes pride in his plus/minus (plus 33 last season)
NEUTRAL ZONE - Timing and technique are Zadorovs' specialties in the middle of the ice. He is excellent at reading the play and knowing when to commit to a hit. At the point of impact he usually has his elbows in and arms down. He allows his natural strength to do the rest - with few penalties for high or late hits. Knights assistant coach Dylan Hunter says he "lets the hit come to him..." Naturally, forwards are less aggressive coming through the neutral zone.
OFFENSIVE ZONE - Zadorov seems to have the most fun here. The modern game requires the constant threat of a defenseman joining the rush to create a mismatch. Zadorov's speed and puck handling skill allows him to do this with minimal risk. It's the skill that has Mark Hunter occasionally dropping the name Larry Robinson. Occasionally he will get caught up ice, but the benefits far outweigh the risk.
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| Zadorov times a hit perfectly against OHL scoring leader Connor Brown |
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